Thiruvananthapuram sources have stated that functioning of private hospitals in Kerala is likely to be affected with an estimated 80,000 nurses today deciding to go on indefinite strike from July 17 demanding higher wages. It was stated that the private hospital managements said they would be able to provide only emergency services from Monday in view of the protest call.
Meanwhile the United Nurses Association (UNA) and Indian Nurses Association, spearheading the ongoing agitation, said they would intensify their protest from July 17. It was stated that the nurses have been on strike since the past few days demanding minimum wages of Rs 20,000 as fixed by the Supreme Court.
Furthermore by stating that 80,000 nurses
would join the 'total' strike, UNA president Jasmine Shah said they would not
buckle 'under pressure' from private hospitals. While maintaining that they
were 'sympathetic' to the cause of nurses, he said the hike would also make
health care cost go up, burdening the patients.
